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Has Microsoft (MSFT) Outpaced Other Computer and Technology Stocks This Year?

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Investors interested in Computer and Technology stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Computer and Technology peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Microsoft is a member of the Computer and Technology sector. This group includes 627 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #4. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.

The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. MSFT is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT's full-year earnings has moved 6.47% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

Based on the most recent data, MSFT has returned 28.21% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Computer and Technology sector has returned an average of 11.14% on a year-to-date basis. This means that Microsoft is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

Looking more specifically, MSFT belongs to the Computer - Software industry, which includes 51 individual stocks and currently sits at #103 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 23.16% so far this year, so MSFT is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.

Investors in the Computer and Technology sector will want to keep a close eye on MSFT as it attempts to continue its solid performance.


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